"Authors tagging Authors" Blog Hop

Here is my little introduction: 

My name is Konstanz Silverbow. I started writing at 13 and haven't stopped since.  I just  finished editing my first full novel and am sending it to publishers now! Whohoo! 

I love dragons, fairy tales of most kinds, aside from writing and reading, I love making jewelry, journals, and playing the violin! 

Oh yes, and originlly I answered this questions for my novel, Missing Royal. However, because I just finished, it is no longer my working title.  *Smiles* 

Here are the questions given to me to answer:

What is the working title of your next book? Trapped.

Where did the idea come from for the book? This is a parallel novel to Missing Royal. Technically it is a sequel but I am writing it as a stand-alone.  

What genre does your book fall under? Young Adult Fantasy! 

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition? This is a really tough question. And I am going to get around answering it directly. I don't want any big name actors. If my books become movies, I want to find people who aren't known to play in the movie. Why? Because I want to give others a chance to live their dream. 

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book? Trapped to save his friends, trapped to save his heart.  

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I am currently querying book one. But I do hope to get traditionally published. 

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript? I just barely started! No literally, not even a week ago. 

What other books would you compare this to within your genre? Trapped is a very fractured version of Snow White.  And because I don't know where it is going yet, I really don't have an answer. 

Who or what inspired you to write this book? Laurel Jefferies, C Michelle Jefferies, Karen Hoover, and Shanna Blythe. 

What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest? The Main character was actually a main character in another book.  All my beta readers loved him so much that I gave him his own novel. 

And that is all I have! 

And now I get to tag some authors! Sadly though, I was only able to find one author willing to play along.  

Please say hello to Lizzy Hughes, my awesome best friend! 

You can find her blog HERE! 

A-to-Z April Blogging Challenge 2013 Sign Up List!

The time is here, people!  The Sign-ups for the 2013 A-to-Z April Blogging Challenge is open!!! 

What are you waiting for? Sign up!!!

Oh wait, you have a reason?

Still not sure if you want to participate?  Not sure what I am talking about?  No problem! 

Go HERE to check out the official A to Z blog.  

Go HERE to check out the official A to Z Facebook page.

Go HERE to check out the A to Z page on my blog.  

Don't have the time to Sign up right now?  

No problem! 

There will be a page on my blog so you can sign up any time between now and April first! 

Or

You can sign up on the  Official A to Z blog HERE! 

Or 

You can sign up on any of the team member's blogs! 

(Not sure who they are? Go HERE to meet the team!) 

And now. . .Go Sign up! 

A. . . B. . . C. . . Go! 

Please read instructions before signing up! Once your info is entered, we cannot change it. 

. . . One more thing.  If you have a problem with signing up, or you need to change something,  e-mail us and we will get it fixed for you.  

WAIT! I lied. I'm not done yet. *smiles* I forgot to tell you, this year we have categories!! But don't worry, they are optional.  Here is how it works.  After your blog name, put  one of the abbreviations in parentheses.


1. WRITING : WR
2. BOOKS: BO
3. FILM : FM
4. PHOTOGRAPHY: PH
5. GARDENING: GR
6. CRAFT: CR
7. ART: AR
8. MUSIC: MU
9. CULINARY: CU
10. LIFESTYLE: LI
11. FASHION: FA
12. PERSONAL: PR
13. SOCIAL MEDIA: SO
14. GAMING: GA
15. EDUCATION : ED
16. POLITICS: PO
17. HISTORY: HI
18. SCIENCE: SC
19. HUMOR: HU
20. TRAVEL: TR
21. MISCELLANEOUS: MI
22. ADULT CONTENT: AC

EXAMPLE: Nothought2small (WR)

Again, totally optional. I'm not categorizing my blog because I talk about too many things.  So if you don't want to, you don't have to. (If you have Adult Content on your blog, PLEASE mark it as such. We have a wide  variety of people participating and do not want anyone getting a shock when they visit. Any blogs with adult content that do not mark it as such will be removed. ) 

Only put ONE category.  (Or none) 

You may sign up with just your blog name, and none of the following codes. But please note that once you have decided on a code, you won't have the option to change it. Multiple entries of the same blog will be deleted.

Okay, last time I promise.  NOW go sign up! 

Tis better to take a break, than to break the novel.

As you may know, I have been editing like crazy.  And although I find myself enjoying it (which you can read more about HERE) I may have lost a bit of its magic in the process.

Not because I'm horrible at editing (I'm not the best, but I'm not the worst) but because I am going too fast and missing too much in the process.   Perhaps if I slowed down I might catch just a few more mistakes.

And I realize, I shouldn't be killing myself editing when it should be a fun process. And a recent interview came to mind. .  Just last month I interviewed an author and one of my questions was  What is your definition of "Magic"? 

And Amber Garza's answer was: Taking something ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary.

Where you can find Amber Garza: Blog ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

And I lost sight of this.  Yesterday (Sunday) I had a really rough day and I didn't edit during the day as I had planned. So Sunday evening when I opened up my manuscript, I remembered this and realized that I just gotta slow down.  

I realized that it is better to take a break, than to break the novel. 

And now I am back to happily editing.  

My Favorite Fairy-tale Re-tells #1

I'm not gonna lie, I LOVE Fairy-tales!  There are so many FANTASTIC re-tells of all these wonderful stories!  And not only do I love reading them, I love writing them!  Today I thought just for the heck of it, I am going to share some of my all time FAVORITE Fairy Tale Re-tells!!! So please pull up a seat, relax, and enjoy!

A mix of many stories: 

This category contains books that are a mix of different fairy-tales in the same story. 

(Click on the Title to go to the book on Goodreads) 

My Fair Godmother by Jannette Rallison

My unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Come back next week to see my favorite re-tells of Snow White! 

Emergence ~ A Book Review

Emergence by C. Michelle Jefferies

Book Blurb: 

Assassin Antony Danic has never killed an innocent man. At least, the corporation he works for has never given him a reason to think otherwise--until now. Reeling from a series of demanding assignments, Antony is desperate for some downtime. As he sits on a beach in Tahiti watching his wife play in the ocean, a messenger delivers a death threat. In a matter of seconds, the hunter has become the hunted. While Antony scrambles to find a way out of his "till death do us part" contract, he's faced with the decision of a lifetime: kill another innocent man, or do what's right--even if it puts his family in jeopardy.

My Review: 

Fast paced, heart pounding, sweaty palm action.  This book keeps you on your toes, guessing at every turn.  

Who is good? Who is bad? And who dies next?  

Antony doesn't know who to trust, who to kill, and who to let live.  

This book will keep you reading late into the night, never giving you a break to put it down.  

Warning: Once you start reading, you won't stop until you've reached the end! 

Characters? Incredible, believable. 

Writing? 5 stars alone just for the writing. 

Story? Think James Bond only better! 

Overall rating of Emergence? 

5 Dragons

Links:

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Website

The Alias ~ A Book Review & Giveaway

After a long and difficult divorce, Jacey is sure the worst is over. But when the FBI reveals some disturbing information about her ex-husband, she is forced into hiding to protect herself and her son. In the process, she risks losing her identity, her future, and her heart. Thrilling and suspenseful, this novel is an edge-of-your-seat read.

My Review: 

The Alias keeps your blood pumping and your palms sweaty.  

Within the first few pages I was pulled into the book and unable to stop reading. 

The writing is fantastic, the characters are in depth and believable, easy to relate to and lovable! 

You will find yourself reading into the late hours of the night to finish this book! 

Overall rating?

The Alias is on tour this month. Click here to see the full schedule. 

Links:

Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Blog ~ Website

And now, the giveaway!  Mandi is letting me giveaway a paperback copy of The Alias!  (US only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We interrupt this program for a special Saturday announcement!

Go HERE and check it this awesome giveaway!  You could win a signed copy of Opal!!!  (And if you haven't heard about this book, definitely go check this out!) 

Wanna swap books?

You know what I hate? I HATE having a set of books in a series but some are in Paperback and some are in Hardback.  I love having a beautiful set of books all the same (All hardcover OR All Paperback).

SO what does this mean? This means that I am hoping to make some trades.  SO below are some pictures of books I would like to trade.  I will say whether it is a paperback or hardcover and put what I am looking for in trade.  If you have what I am looking for and have what I want, comment with your e-mail or e-mail me and we can work out a trade.  

1.

I have: Sphinx's Princess by Esther M. Friesner

Book two in the Sphinx's Princess Trilogy

Brand new, never been read. (Hardback copy)

I am looking for: a Paperback copy.  

2.

I have: Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

Book three in the Inkheart trilogy. 

Brand new, was read once. 

I am looking for: a Paperback copy

3.

I have: Syren by Angie Sage

Book Five in the Septimus Heap Series

Brand new, never been read. 

I am looking for: a Paperback copy

4.

I have: Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George

Book three in the Dragon Slippers trilogy.

Brand new, has small tear on cover jacket. 

I am looking for: a Paperback copy

cover jacket where it is torn. 

Again, if you have what I am looking for and want something I have, please e-mail me at: nothought2small(at)gmail(dot)com

OR 

Comment and leave your e-mail so I can contact you to work something out! 

Also, even if you don't have what I am looking for and know someone who might, 

will you please send them my way? 

One more thing before I go: If you are looking for a certain book in a certain form to trade, let me know and I will help you find it! I might have it! I have a huge stack of books that I am looking to get rid of!

Thank you!  

It's a birthday party for an awesome friend!

So if you haven't noticed, for the past few months I have been involved in A LOT of cover reveals, book tours, author interviews and so much more.  And it is all because of this wonderful lady I know.  She goes by Lady Amber! And she is AWESOME! So what is the point of telling you all of this?  Well today (January 16th is her birthday) and when I found this out I thought "hmmmm. . .Amber is so amazing. I should do something for her birthday for her.  What could I do?" And then the idea hit me! "I could throw a little party on my blog.  Maybe even bring her some followers!"  And so today we are throwing a little party for her.  And here is how it is gonna go down:

Originally I was going to do a giveaway and I couldn't come up with any good ideas.  So instead, why don't you stop by Amber's blog and do all or one of these three things! 

• CLICK HERE to visit Amber's blog & Follow Amber's blog. (GFC, E-mail . . .etc)
• "LIKE" Amber's Facebook page (CLICK HERE)
• Wish Amber Happy Birthday via commenting on her blog or posting it on her Facebook page

Oh yeah, and in case you missed it,  Amber is having a HUGE giveaway on her blog.  

You can check it out HERE! 

Okay, now go wish Amber a 'Happy Birthday!" 

CALLING ALL BLOGGERS!!

We interupt our usual schedule for this special announcement! 

Are you a blogger? Do you love books? Do you love reviewing books? Do you love reading books before anyone else? Than this is for you.  CLICK HERE to read all the specifics/details/important stuff! 

Today's blog post brought to you by the A-to-Z April Blogging Challenge

Well folks, it is that time of year again  . . . ready for it? Ready for it? *Throws Alphabet Confetti* It is time to begin prepping for the A to Z April Blogging Challenge!!

Steal this badge! 

Please stop by and say "Hi" to each of this years wonderful Co-Hosts! 

Arlee Bird ~ Tossing It Out  ~  @ArleeBird

Damyanti Biswas ~  Amlokiblogs  ~ @damyantig

Alex J. Cavanaugh ~  Alex J. Cavanaugh ~ @alexjcavanaugh

Tina Downey ~  Life is Good  ~ (No twitter)

DL Hammons ~  Cruising Altitude 2.0  ~ @DL_H

Jeremy Hawkins ~  Retro-Zombie  ~ @iZombieJMH

Shannon Lawrence  ~ The Warrior Muse  ~ @thewarriormuse

Matthew MacNish ~  The QQQE  ~ @MatthewMacNish

Stephen Tremp ~ Breakthrough Blogs  ~ @StephenTremp

Livia Peterson ~ Leave it to Livia ~ @LiviaGPeterson

L. Diane Wolfe ~  Spunk on a Stick ~ @SpunkOnAStick

Nicole Ayers  ~ The Madlab Post ~ @MadlabPost
and of course, me! 
Konstanz Silverbow ~ No Thought 2 Small  ~ @KonstanzS

Now if you didn't know, last year I got to be a co-host and it was my first year doing the challenge.  I will tell you, it is quite the experience!  And working with so many awesome people was the best part!  Quite a few of 2012's co-hosts returned this year.  I am glad I was welcomed back this year to co-host the challenge again.  

Now for those who don't know what the challenge is, I will give you the quick rundown.  

For more information CLICK HERE! 

April has 30 days.  Take away Sundays, guess how many days that leaves? 

If you guess 26 days, you guessed correctly.  

Starting April 1st you will blog about something that starts with the letter A. 

On April 2nd you will bog about something that starts with the letter B. 

Wanna know what you will be blogging about on April 3rd? Something that starts with the letter C.  

Get the picture?  So you blog everyday minus Sundays using the alphabet as a guide to get you through.  

So how do you prepare for this challenge? 

1. Follow THIS blog.  (It is also a good idea to follow the co-hosts blog as well.) 
2. Follow A-to-Z on Twitter (@AprilA2Z) (It is also a good idea to follow the co-host's on Twitter)
3. "LIKE" The A-to-Z Facebook Page
4. Plan your posts ahead of time. . . or don't. 
5. Mark January 30th on your Calendars.  That is when we will open up the Linky List for you to sign up for the challenge.  

A lot of bloggers like to go with whatever and just blog on a whim during the challenge.  Others like to have a theme.  And some do a mix of both.  Me? I have a theme.  Last year my theme was Mythological Creatures.  A different creature every day for 26 days.  It was a ton of fun!  This year? I have a theme. . . however I am keeping it a surprise!

Alright, who is ready?  Who is excited? Are you going to join the challenge?

With the help of Gollum's voice, I give you my exciting news!

For a blog about writing, I sure don't talk about my own work much.  And it isn't because it's not important to me or I don't feel like sharing.  It is simply because I never really felt worthy of discussing my own work when there are so many authors out there already published, living the dream, waiting to be discovered by readers.  (Alright so maybe not quite to The Dream yet.)  

But I suppose with the news I have to share that it is about time I begin talking about...well...Me! 

Okay, not me directly but my work.  I have been working on the same book for seven(ish) years now.  Writing, editing, re-drafting, writing all over again, repeat.  And last year I made a promise to myself.  I said "Self, I promise that I will finish this novel and I will get it out there.  I will allow others to read it.  I will send it to publishers.  I will get it published."  And in reply I said "Self, that is an excellent plan.  How do we do it?"  And self said "Well, I must finish writing it.  And if we use NaNoWriMo to help us with that then we can edit it and finally we will do the bravest thing ever and send it to a publisher!"  And me, thrilled with this plan said "Self, you are a genius!"  

So with all of this going on in my head, a friend decided to challenge everyone in a group doing NaNoWriMo to a race.  Whoever hit 50,000 words first wins.  And this is when I said "Self, we can do this! We can totally beat everyone else by typing really fast. Plus we have an advantage, we already know the story."  Self  replied "Now, now. This isn't about quantity it is about quality.  We must- wait, if we hit 50,000 words first we win?"  I chuckle "Yes. We will win the race AND our book will be done ahead of schedule! So self, can we do itsssss?"  Using Gollum's voice self replies "Yesssssssssss precioussssss, we can.  We will win.  We will WIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNN!"  

And we did.  *We wonnnns the race.  And after winning we took a break from writing.  After our break we took another break while waiting for our Beta readers to get back to usssss.  

*Gollum voice turned off* And now I am in the final editing stage before sending this manuscript to some publishers.  Yep, that is right! I am sending my manuscript to publishers in less than two weeks!!! 

*And not to brag or anything BUT I really did win the race.  With just over 50,000 words, I finished on Day 18.  Also, I owe a huge THANKS to Chas Hathaway for giving me the last push I needed to pass my goal! (He challenged the members of Author's Think Tank on Facebook who were participating in NaNoWriMo  to  race to 50,000.  While I already had enough motives, I would have never made it without him as well as the support from everyone involved in the challenge/race! 

Also, I owe a huge Thank you to Tiffani Baker.  If not for her I would not have made my goal.  She allowed me to keep my Fingers for typing.  

If I gave up yesterday, who won't I be friends with tomorrow?

When I first started blogging, I had no clue what I was doing.  None whatsoever.  I just sat down one day and decided to start.  I don't know what made me want to blog.  Maybe it was because in my mind "this is what authors do and I want to be an author",  maybe it is because I had some fabulous idea that I thought deserved to be shared.  I suppose to this day, I will never remember why I really started.

But I can tell you why I keep going.  Why I continue to do it.  It is what I love doing.  I LOVE being able to reach hundreds of people, connect with people that share a common interest, I love having a place to talk about myself and learn.

This blog is my safe haven, my journal online.  Somewhere I can come and let out how I feel.  And most importantly, it is a place I can help authors.

Three years ago when I decided to start a blog, I would have never guessed that I would be where I am today.  Up until September of last year I had a total of 38 followers.  And while those followers are all fantastic, I just didn't really think it would make a difference if my blog just disappeared one day.  If maybe I decided to give up, who would mind?

Now, if I gave up I would be letting go of this wonderful experience I have had so far.  I think back on all the times I wanted to give up, dump the blog, quit writing and crawl in a whole.  And every time I thought those thoughts I was reminded of all the wonderful people I have met through having a blog.  And any time those thoughts weren't helpful I would think "If I quit yesterday, who wouldn't be in my life today because of it?"

If I quit blogging yesterday, who won't I be friends with tomorrow?  I will never know because I will never give up.  I can't let this blog go, not now.

With that in mind, I want to give a shout-out to some fabulous people I have met online.  Please feel free to click on each name to visit each of these wonderful people.  

Airicka Phoenix

Helen Boswell
Ambersupernatural & YA reviews


There are so many more but these three ladies are some of the coolest, kindest people you'll ever meet!

Check out Airicka and Helen's work and if you ever need a blog tour or book release party planned, Ambersupernatural is the planner to go to!

When I think about closing the blog, giving up, quitting, I think about these three.  If I gave up, I would have never met them! 

Games of Fire ~ Cover Reveal

Book Name: Games of Fire
Author: Airicka Phoenix
Publisher: Self-Published
Release date: February 14, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Action, Suspense, Mystery, Romance
Warnings: None
Formats: ebook, paperback

Full wrap around

Synopsis: 
Sophie has enough problems in her life without Spencer turning her blood to fire, without his eyes freezing and burning her, without his hatred of her. Since his migration into the house next to hers, Sophia Valdez isn’t sure whether she wants to toss him under a bus or kiss that smirking mouth of his. But even as the temperature rises around them, leaping flames of passion, want and desire,
everything either has ever known will be shattered by the lurking shadow hounding their every step, wanting revenge.

Spencer Rowth moves to the sleepy town of River Port with his mother and twelve year old sister, Suzy, to escape a deceitful father, an unfaithful girlfriend and a life crumbling much too fast for him to grapple onto only to be smacked upside the head by the last thing he wanted again. Sophie was everything he refused to want. Her temper, her wit, her laugh, her smile, the way her entire body goes up in flames under his hands are things he would rather slam a lid on and forget. Instead, he finds himself falling for the smart-mouth next door. But how long will he have before the evil chasing them catches up? How long before the very thing he never wanted becomes his only thread to sanity? And who is after them? What do they want and why do they want Spencer and Sophie dead?

Teaser:

“I hope that’s the last of our unlucky streak.”

Sophie couldn’t agree more, but something in the air, a chill, coiled around her, sinking razor sharp talons into her flesh. It trickled venom through her veins, paralyzing all hopes that tomorrow would be better. Truthfully, how could it be when the person responsible was still out there? What if they came back? What if they tried again? What if they did it to someone else?

No. Sophie had no delusions that it would be better tomorrow. She wasn’t fooled by the temporary calm. Two incidents simultaneously? Maybe the police didn’t spot the link, but she wasn’t so lucky nor could she rule out that possibility that Spencer was the center of it all.

Author Bio:

Airicka Phoenix is the author of The Touch Series and has short stories in Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology and Midnight Surrender Anthology. When she's not hammering away at the keyboard, she can be found banishing pirates or crawling through the attic looking for lost treasure with her kids. She loves baking, gardening and reading. She also likes to travel and take pictures of everything she comes across. When asked, Airicka describes herself as a sarcastic basket case that has an unhealthy addiction to chocolate, old movies and really bad jokes. She loves to laugh, make friends and write. If she could have one wish granted, it would be to spend one day as a fly-on-the-wall inside Stephen King's mind. If she could have two wishes granted, she would ask for a castle dedicated entirely to her overwhelming collection of books.

Other Novels by Airicka Phoenix:

~ Touching Smoke (Touch Series, book 1) ~ Touching Eternity (Touch Series, Standalone) ~ Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology ~ Midnight Surrender Anthology

Where you can find Airicka and her works: 

~ Facebook ~
~ Twitter ~
(@AirickaPhoenix)
~ Goodreads ~
~ Pinterest ~
~Author Site~

Reviving Bloom ~ Cover Reveal

Synopsis: 

Bloom was abandoned by her mother at birth, but thanks to her dad she never once felt unloved. When he is killed in a car wreck, leaving her without any close family, she spends a year mourning him. She feels as if her heart has been cut out of her chest and nothing is left but an empty hole that she doesn’t think will ever heal. Then one night after work she finds a wounded dog in the woods behind her house and takes him in, not realizing he’s more than just some stray dog but a wolf shifter, who happens to be her mate.

Pike is getting over the loss of his father by running full force away from his responsibilities. He’s getting ready to go back to face his new position as the Alpha of his pack when he catches the scent that can only belong to his mate. 

When Bloom finds out she may not be the normal human she always thought herself to be, she’s forced to search out the woman who abandoned her at birth.

Author Bio: 

Michelle is a 28 year old native Ohioan. Go Buckeyes! She lives with her husband and son. When she isn’t spending time with her family or working you can find her with her nose stuck in a good book. On October 3, 2012 she released her first book as an independent author, Reviving Bloom.

Links:

GoodReads (Author Page

Goodreads (Book) 

Amazon

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

The Giveaway
CLICK HERE  to enter. 

Just a quick hello!

Hello! Oh how wonderful it feels to be able to just post whatever I want again!  With the holidays and blog/book tours going on I haven't been able to just write out a blog post about what is going on in my life and what I have been up to.  And right now I have some rather happy news!

I am WEEKS away from being able to begin querying my first manuscript!  Crazy, right?!?!  To think that I have been working on this book for so long and knowing that I am editing for the last time before I send it away to be read by complete strangers!  *eek!*

But seriously though, I am excited! (Just nervous as well).  So what have you been up to?  Anything crazy fun?  Who has seen The Hobbit yet?  (If you haven't you should! It is FANTASTIC! I have seen it in Theaters now four times and counting.) What are your thoughts?  Who is your favorite Dwarf?

Alright, I gotta get back to editing now.  Thanks for popping in to say hello! 

Also, don't forget to CLICK HERE to check out my current giveaway going on.  

Four wonderful books are up for grabs!